Ankh Symbol ☥ Copy and Paste
Copy the Ankh Symbol
Highlight and copy the ankh below:
☥
Paste it anywhere — documents, social media, messages, or design projects.
Unicode and Technical Details
- Unicode: U+2625
- HTML Entity: ☥
- UTF-8: E2 98 A5
- Name: ANKH
What Does the Ankh Symbol Mean?
The ankh (pronounced "onk" or "ahnk") is one of the most recognizable symbols from ancient Egypt. It represents eternal life, immortality, and the blessing of life after death. The loop at the top symbolizes the sun rising above the horizon, while the vertical line below represents the path of the sun. The horizontal arms mark the intersection of the physical and spiritual worlds.
Egyptian gods and goddesses are frequently depicted holding the ankh by its loop, offering it to the pharaoh's lips — a gesture symbolizing the gift of eternal life. The ankh appears in countless tomb paintings, temple carvings, and hieroglyphic inscriptions throughout Egypt's 3,000-year history.
History of the Ankh
Origins
The ankh dates back to at least the Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100 BCE). Its exact origin is debated among Egyptologists. Some theories suggest it represents a sandal strap, a mirror, or a knot. The most widely accepted interpretation is that it symbolizes life itself — both mortal existence and the eternal afterlife.
In Ancient Egyptian Religion
The ankh was associated with many deities:
- Isis — goddess of magic and motherhood, often shown holding an ankh
- Osiris — god of the afterlife, depicted with the ankh as lord of eternal life
- Ra — sun god, shown offering the ankh to the pharaoh
- Anubis — god of embalming, carrying the ankh during the weighing of the heart ceremony
- Hathor — goddess of love and joy, frequently depicted with the ankh
Modern Usage
The ankh has been adopted by many modern movements and cultures:
- Jewelry and fashion — one of the most popular ancient symbols in modern jewelry design
- Tattoos — a common choice representing eternal life or Egyptian heritage
- Neo-pagan and spiritual movements — used as a symbol of life force and spiritual power
- Goth subculture — adopted as a symbol of the mystical and the macabre
- Black culture — embraced during the Afrocentric movement as a connection to African heritage
- Video games and media — appears in games, movies, and books as a symbol of ancient power or resurrection
How to Type the Ankh Symbol
Windows
- Hold Alt and type 9765 on the numeric keypad
- Or use Character Map: search for "ankh"
Mac
- Open Character Viewer (Control+Command+Space)
- Search for "ankh" and double-click to insert
iPhone and Android
The ankh is not on standard mobile keyboards. Copy it from above or add it to a text replacement shortcut:
- iPhone: Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Type "ankh" as the shortcut and paste ☥ as the phrase
- Android: Settings > System > Languages & Input > Personal Dictionary. Add "ankh" as the shortcut with ☥ as the word
Ankh vs. Similar Symbols
- Venus symbol ♀ — also has a circle on a cross, but the ankh has a distinct teardrop loop
- Cross ✝ — similar shape but without the loop; different religious meaning
- Eye of Horus 𓂀 — another Egyptian symbol, but represents protection and healing, not life
Fun Facts About the Ankh
- Ancient Egyptians placed ankhs in tombs to ensure the deceased would live forever in the afterlife
- The ankh appears on the cover of Led Zeppelin's album "Presence"
- In the TV show "Logan's Run," the ankh is used as a symbol of the resistance
- The Coptic Christian church adapted the ankh into its cross design
- Egyptian pharaohs carried the ankh as a scepter of power
Related Symbols
If you need similar ancient or spiritual symbols, check out our guides for Cross Symbols, Yin Yang ☯, and Peace Symbol ☮.